Materials Scientists Salary in Pittsburgh, PA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Pittsburgh, PA

Median annual salary $96,840 -7% vs national
Median hourly $46.56
10th percentile $60,340
90th percentile $138,380
Employed locally 50
National median $104,160

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Materials Scientists
in
Pittsburgh, PA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $60,340
    25th
    $68,770
    50th (median)
    $96,840
    75th
    $119,260
    90th
    $138,380

    Pittsburgh economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $73,942 2023 • Census ACS
    Materials Scientists salary vs area income 131% Median Materials Scientists salary is 31% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Materials Scientists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $156,530
    Worcester, MA $142,900
    New Hampshire $136,300
    Salt Lake City-Murray, UT $135,510
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $133,530
    California $131,530

    Nearby metros — Materials Scientists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $119,600
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $109,080
    Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ $101,570
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $79,900

    Related occupations in Pittsburgh, PA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$90,280
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$82,590
    Chemists$74,200
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$51,200
    Chemical Technicians$60,690
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$75,550

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Materials Scientists make per hour in Pittsburgh?

    The median hourly wage for Materials Scientists in Pittsburgh, PA is $46.56, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $66.53 or more per hour.

    Is Pittsburgh above or below average for Materials Scientists salaries?

    The median Materials Scientists salary in Pittsburgh, PA is 7% below the national median of $104,160. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Materials Scientists in Pittsburgh?

    Entry-level Materials Scientists (10th percentile) earn around $60,340 per year in Pittsburgh, PA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $68,770.